2010 GMC Sierra Fantastic Four - Performing To A Higher Standard

Improved Handling And More Power For '07-'11 GM Trucks

This month's Fantastic Four project truck is a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 that was in desperate need of a new soul. The owner uses it for just about everything from his daily to towing and even hauling engines in the bed, but it didn't have any personality. We've shown you how to lift your truck for better off-road capability, lower your truck for better looks, now we will show you how to increase the performance of your truck with the addition of an upgraded suspension, intake, exhaust, and budget rolling stock. All of this adds up to a new driving experience while spending less than $2,400.

We started off by installing a DJM 2/3-inch drop kit to lower the truck, which will bring the center of gravity closer to the ground. Included in the kit was a set of burly sway bars for the front and rear. These extra-large sway bars will help control body roll when turning and help keep the truck stable when making high-speed maneuvers. For better engine performance, we added an Airaid intake kit and a MagnaFlow exhaust. Both of these together help the respiration of the engine, which adds horsepower and mpg. The MagnaFlow exhaust also sounds a whole lot better than the stock exhaust did. For wheels and tires, we tracked down a set of factory 20-inch GMC wheels and tires on Craigslist for only $400. The factory Goodyear Eagle LS 275/55R20 tires were virtually new and the OE wheels keep the under-the-radar performance theme. To help us with the install, we enlisted the help of Adolfo Briseno of JBM Motoring, in Anaheim, California. Follow along as we turned this Sierra from an average cruiser to a street bruiser in just one day.

(Prices from manufacturers and do not include tax, shipping, or labor)

DJM 2/3 lowering kit with front and rear sway bars and rear shocks:

$1,024.38

Airaid # AA200-197:

$304.90

Magnaflow exhaust kit:

$615.94

OE 20-inch wheels and 275/55R20 tires found on Craigslist

$400

TOTAL:

$2,345.22

From the Driver Seat
After installing the DJM lowering kit, the truck has a better stance and thanks to the sway bars, the truck's cornering was greatly improved. Before and after the install, the truck was run through a 600-foot slalom course. Before the upgraded suspension the maximum speed was 52.76 mph. After the suspension install, the slalom speed increased to 55.1 mph. This is due to a lower center of gravity, the upgraded front sway bar, and the new rear antisway bar. The mpg have also increased, up 1.5 mpg, thanks to the intake and exhaust upgrades. Whereas the used wheels and tires are OK for now and did help keep the initial cost down, we'll be upgrading them soon to squeeze even more performance out of our DJM suspension. Stay tuned for that and the rear airbag install.